Nagalim.NL News

Home » Archives » June 2005 » India lacks the will, we have the way: Muivah ‘Talks with Centre stuck, question mark over ceasefire’

[Previous entry: "UNC rally on June 16, bandh on June 21 to call for Naga unification"] [Next entry: "Ceasefire meaningless without breakthrough in talks: NSCN (I-M)"]

06/14/2005: "India lacks the will, we have the way: Muivah ‘Talks with Centre stuck, question mark over ceasefire’"


India lacks the will, we have the way: Muivah ‘Talks with Centre stuck, question mark over ceasefire’
Posted online: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 0257 hours IST SUDHI RANJAN SEN Indian Express
NEW DELHI, JUNE 13: After six months and 12 rounds of protracted negotiations between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) leadership, the Naga peace talks have hit a hurdle. NSCN (I-M) General Secretary, Thuningaleng Muivah, speaking to The Indian Express said that India lacks ‘‘political will,’’ ‘‘seriousness’’ and imagination to solve the issue and believes ‘‘evading’’ core issues would solve the problem. What is even more pertinent is that Muivah is uncertain about the renewal of the ceasefire between the Centre and the NCSN(I-M) that expires on July 31. Without spelling out that the peace talks have reached a stalemate, Muivah said that talks ‘‘are stuck’’ because the Centre is unwilling to address the core issue: a ‘‘special federal relation’’ with India and integration of Naga-inhabited areas.
‘‘We (the Nagas) have come a long way’’ to understand the problems of India and appreciate it but India till date has filed to return the gesture. There is a big gap between us. We have been patient and are willing to wait but do not read this as a sign of weakness’’ he said. He said said that the ceasefire can be renewed only if there are ‘‘positive steps’’ taken by the Centre to ‘‘show’’ that it is ‘‘serious’’ to solve the issue. He, however, did not specify what steps he expected from the Centre to save the talks. The last round of talks were held on May 9. Under this, the NSCN (I-M) proposed that Nagaland be jointly protected by the Indian armed forces and the Nagas. ‘‘We understand India’s problem and its apprehension about security and we have tried to come close to India, but India never tried to understand the Naga people or our history,’’ Muivah said adding that ‘‘Nagaland can be best protected by the Naga but we also appreciate India point of view.’’
Besides this, the NSCN (I-M) has also proposed that it has a role to play in the external affairs policy of Nagaland. ‘‘Please understand history, Nagaland was never a part of India, India should respect our history and we can assure you that it will be respected in return’’ he added. Muivah also said that they have not given up their demand for a sovereign Nagaland. What has upset the NSCN(I-M) most is the Indian delegation’s constant reference to Constitution of India. The UPA government is violating the terms on which it was agreed that talks would be held, he said. ‘‘We don’t want the Indian Constitution, we have our own Constitution. Do you think that we have fought for 50 years to surrender? And, if you do not appreciate this we better go away,’’ he said.
EXCLUSIVE–Muivah may leave India, talks to continue abroad: Raising
Integration must for result: NSCN(IM)By Wasbir Hussain Sentinel
GUWAHATI, June 13: A top NSCN(IM) leader today said that there can be no final solution to the Naga problem unless there is a ‘physical and political integration’ of the Naga areas in the North-east. He said his group’s General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah may leave India ‘any time’, and henceforth, unless the situation warranted, the talks would take place in a ‘third country.’ Talking to this writer over cell phone from Nagaland, NSCN (IM) ‘Home Minister’ RH Raising, who had attended several rounds of talks between the two sides during the past six months in New Delhi, said: "Nagas in the region are emotionally united, but because of the physical separation, they are finding it difficult to move ahead together as a community. This must end."
Mr Raising, who is holding additional charge of the rebel group’s ‘information ministry’, added: "The Nagas were politically divided during the colonial times. Now, unless there is a political and physical integration, a final solution to the decades-old Naga problem cannot emerge." He referred to the unification of Germany, Vietnam and Italy. The NSCN(IM) leader Mr Muivah was set to leave India ‘any time’ and the talks would continue outside this country. "There has been a tacit agreement between us and the Government of India that the talks would be held outside India. But this time, we had come to New Delhi at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," Mr Raising said. Asked whether the Naga peace talks have hit major roadblocks that could lead to the snapping of the eight-year-long ceasefire between the two sides, Mr Raising said: "We are committed to the peace process. Unless circumstances compel us, the truce will stay. I think the problem can be resolved through a humane understanding." Mr Raising was asked if his group was prepared for a long-drawn negotiation as the current lengthy dialogue process in New Delhi has failed to achieve a breakthrough, the NSCN(IM) leader said: "We have fought for more than 50 years, and, therefore, we can go on talking for seven-eight years. The time factor is not important, what is important is to see whether the Government of India and the Nagas are on the right track."
The NSCN(IM) leader said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is keen on a ‘political solution to the problem.’ Mr Raising, replying to a question, said: "There have been areas where the two sides have agreed upon after narrowing down differences. And, there are areas where there has been no agreement." Asked if the main dispute between the two sides is over the issue of integration of Naga areas in the region, Mr Raising said: "The negotiators from the Indian Government side are well informed of our position on the integration issue. They seem to appreciate our position." The NSCN(IM) leader hastened to add that when his group is talking of integration, it is not talking of grabbing land belonging to the Meiteis, the Assamese or the Arunachalese. "We are interested only in areas inhabited by the Nagas," he said.
Factional fights on, 5 IM men killed Newmai News Network
Dimapur, June 13 : Even as factional clashes continue unabated in Nagaland’s Tuensang and Mon districts between the NSCN-IM and NSCN-K and NNC/FGN combined team, the body of an NSCN (IM) cadre was recovered from a place close to the Police Office, Pfutsero this morning. An official release quoting police said the de- ceased was identified as “Sgt” Cannan of the NSCN (IM), hailing from Sara-namai village, Senapati district, Manipur. Investigation was on. Yesterday, four cadres of the NSCN-IM were been killed by the NSCN-K in separate clashes with the K cadres recovering 6 weapons including AK guns and M-16 rifles in Tuensang district and Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, claimed NSCN-K’s MIP secretary Kivi Kips.
Meanwhile,condemning the June 7 incident near Tobu in which armed activists killed four persons after abduction, the Konyak Union (KU) on Monday said they have taken the action of the assailants as a “great challenge” to their existence and vowed that they would avenge the act at any cost. A press release issued jointly by the KU president Tingnei Konyak and its general secretary Y Wangtin Konyak said the union was moved by the incident where “terrorist group of the Changs, known as Self Defence Group (SDF), abducted nine Konyaks from the Tata Sumo in which they were travelling and murdered four.”
The KU accused the Chang Khullie Setshang (CKS) of being hands in gloves with the “so-called SDF” and its brutal activities and said the SDF perpetrated the crime after being instigated by the CKS. The Konyaks expressed regret over media reports which, it said, branded the abductors as unidentified gunmen when the assailants identified themselves as SDF and claimed responsibility for the abduction and the subsequent killings of the abducted persons. The KU cautioned that Konyaks being a mature tribe do not believe in violence but they would be compelled to take the law into their own hands if the situation warrants. “There were and there are national movements under the banner of NSCN and NNC but wonder as to how the terrorist organization came into being whose goal is neither sovereignty nor social upliftment but to target civilians belonging to the Konyak tribe,” the release said. The KU appealed to all “national organizations fighting for Naga independence” to deal with the SDF with iron hand to preserve harmony and inte- grity of the “Naga Nation”. Further, the union also lambasted the State Government for failing to ensure the security of its citizens and added that at a time when the Govt was claiming that there is peace a “terrorist organization” has come into being “under the nose of the Govt”.
The KU also took serious view of the statement issued by Chief Secretary Talitemjen who announced about the release of seven abductees and said contra-ry to his claim the Konyaks had received only five out of seven abductees on June 11 with the rest two – Engo-sala and Ngushu – being beheaded by the SDF. Further, the union castigated the govt for its failure to book those SDF activists responsible for the cold-blooded murder of Thongo, killed in March 2003. According to the KU, Thongo was the SDF’s first target. The union appealed to the state govt to terminate services of DySP, Singson and ABSI, Temjen, both of whom are posted at Long-pha, for neglecting the report of abduction. According to the KU, although a public report rea- ched the officers ten minutes after the abduction and place of occurrence was one-two kms from their place of posting, the special NAP under command of the said officers allegedly refused to rescue the abductees. Further, it appealed to the govt to arrest all thirty two members of the SDF, seize all their weapons and award them capital punishment. The KU said the Konyaks would look forward to govt’s action and said the appeal was made to weed out such “terrorist organization” lest the entire state came under such activities
Breaking Manipur on GoI agenda : UCM By Our Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Jun 13 : Accusing the Government of India of working hands in gloves with the NSCN (IM) in trying to break the territorial integrity of Manipur, the United Committee Manipur today said that if the Indian Government does not abandon its sinister designs, the people will rise as one against them. In a statement, UCM said that the people, irrespective of their communities have clearly demonstrated that they are against any designs to compromise with the territory of Manipur. However despite this, the Centre has been turning a blind eye to the agenda pursued by the IM group to break up Manipur. Elaborating, UCM said that the Indian armed forces instead of reining in the activities of the NSCN (IM) in coercing the people of the hill areas to fall in line with their agenda are turning the other way round. Manipur does not come under the ambit of the cease fire between the IM group and the Government of India, but that has not stopped them from opening designated camps here, said UCM.
Allowing the NSCN (IM) cadres to openly campaign for the formation of a Greater Nagaland in Manipur testifies that the Government of India has been openly and explicitly encouraging them to carry on with their agenda, charged the statement. If the Governments of India and Manipur are really sincere in not giving a free hand to the NSCN (IM), then they should immediately close down all their designated camps in Manipur and stop their open campaign to disintegrate Manipur, added the statement. Turning a blind eye to the opening of designated camps of the IM group in Manipur and on the other hand parroting that the territory of Manipur would be protected is nothing but double standard on the part of the Govt of India, maintained UCM. Such double standard is nothing but the propagation of the divide and rule policy adopted by the the British colonial power, said UCM and added this will be met by the people of NE.
Factional clashes continue in Nagaland The Imphal Free Press

Dimapur, Jun 13: Even as the factional clashes continue to go on in Nagaland's Tuensang and Mon districts between the NSCN-IM and NSCN-K and NNC/FGN combined team, the body of an NSCN (IM) cadre was recovered from a place close to the police office, Pfutsero this morning. An official release quoting police said the deceased was identified as “Sgt” Cannan of the NSCN (IM), hailing from Saranamai village, Senapati district, Manipur. Investigation was on in the matter. Yesterday, four cadres of the NSCN-IM had also been killed by the NSCN-K in separate clashes and recovered 6 weapons including AK guns and M-16 rifles in Tuensang district and Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh in the factional clashes, claimed NSCN-K's MIP secretary Kivi Kips. Meanwhile, condemning the June 7 incident near Tobu in which armed activists killed four persons after abduction, the Konyak Union (KU) on Monday said the Konyaks took the action of the assailants as a “great challenge” to their existence and vowed that they would avenge the act at any cost. A press release issued jointly by the KU president Tingnei Konyak and its general secretary Y. Wangtin Konyak said the union was moved by the incident where “terrorist group of the Changs, known as Self Defence Group (SDF), abducted nine Konyaks from the Tata Sumo in which they were travelling and murdered four terming it height of provocation”.

The KU accused the Chang Khullie Setshang (CKS) of being hand in glove with the “so-called SDF” and its brutal activities and said the SDF perpetrated the crime after being instigated by the CKS. The Konyaks expressed regret over media reports which, it said, branded the abductors as unidentified gunmen when the assailants identified themselves as SDF and claimed responsibility for the abduction and subsequent killing. The KU cautioned that Konyaks being a mature tribe never flex its muscle over small itch but they would be compelled to take the law in their own hands in times of challenges.
“There were and there are national movements under the banner of NSCN and NNC but wonder as to how the terrorist organization came into being whose goal is neither sovereignty nor social upliftment but to target civilians belonging to the Konyak tribe,” the release said. The KU appealed to all “national organizations fighting for Naga independence” to deal with the SDF with iron hands to preserve harmony and integrity of the “Naga nation”.
Further, the union said the Konyaks lambasted the state government for growing lawlessness in the state and said at a time when the government was claiming prevalence of peace a “terrorist organization” came into being “under the nose of the government”.
The KU took serious view of the communiqué issued by the state Cchief secretary Talitemjen announced about the release of seven abductees and said contrary to his claim the Konyaks had received only five out of seven abductees on June 11 with the rest two – the late Engosala and the late Ngushu – being beheaded by the SDF. Further, the union castigated the government for its failure to book those SDF activists responsible for the cold-blooded murder of Thongo, killed in March 2003. According to the KU, Thongo was the SDF’s first target.
The union appealed to the state government to terminate the services of Deputy SP, Singson and ABSI, Temjen, both of whom are posted at Longpha, for neglecting the report of abduction.

According to the KU, although a public report reached the officers ten minutes after the abduction and the place of occurrence was one-two kilometers from their place of posting, the special NAP under the command of the said officers allegedly refused to rescue the abductees.
Further, it appealed to the government to arrest all thirty two members of the SDF, seize all their weapons and award them capital punishment. The KU said the Konyaks would look forward government’s action and said the appeal was made to weed out such “terrorist organization” lest the entire state came under such activities

Govt takes serious view of UNC plans, Cabinet to meet today The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jun 13: The state government has taken a serious view of the bandh call given by the United Naga Council, Manipur against the government’s declaration of June 18 as a general holiday, and the proposed rallies to be taken out on June 16 to press for Naga unification. To discuss the security implications of the UNC’s move, as well as the mass rally called on June 15 by some meira paibi organisations of the valley districts against drug and alcohol abuse, a series of meetings of the concerned government authorities was held in the state capital today. In this connection, a high level security meeting was held at the office of the IGP (L&O-I) R Baral, to discuss the eventualities that might develop on account of the proposed UNC rallies, and also the deployment of security forces in sensitive areas. The meeting also assessed the requirement of security personnel to tackle any eventuality and reportedly decided to station maximum available security forces at sensitive areas. Another meeting was also reportedly held at the chief minister’s official chambers on the same issue, attended, reportedly, by the DCs of Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, and Senapati, apart from top state civil and police officials.

While details were unavailable, reliable sources said imposition of section 144 CrPC is being contemplated in the hill districts. Similar measures are also contemplated in the valley districts to prevent any adverse reaction from the general public in the valley. The meet also decided that all necessary means should be utilised to prevent the proposed June 21 bandh from disturbing normal life in the state. A state Cabinet meeting has also been called for tomorrow morning on the same issue, which is likely to take a final decision on the question of whether the proposed UNC rallies should be allowed to go ahead or not. In this regard, state agencies have been directed to collect all relevant data and intelligence on the matter, reports said. Meanwhile on the declaration of June 18 as a state holiday, a senior Cabinet minister told IFP that there was no question of the government reviewing its decision.
Naga Council against holiday in Manipur on June 18 Kuknalim.com
MPHAL/KOHIMA, June 13: United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur, an apex body of the Naga community in the state, has geared up to take out protest rallies in the four hill districts as part of its denouncement of the decision of the state government to announce June 18 as a general holiday in Manipur. Sources said that the protest rally is being organised as the announcement of the state government to declare June 18 as a general holiday is likely to affect the progress of the ongoing peace parleys between the NSCN (I-M) and the Govermnment of India. UNC-sponsored protest rallies would be taken out in the district headquarters of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong,it added. Mention may be made here that United Committee Manipur (UCM) has been urging the Manipur government to announce June18 as a holiday in view of the ‘Great June Uprising’ observation. Remembering the mass uprising against the extension of ceasefire between NSCN(IM) and Government of India to parts of Manipur in June 2001,UCM has been observing its function since June 2002 at Kekrupat, located on the northen side of the Kangla Fort in Imphal. Meanwhile, reacting to a news report that the Centre is mulling over the possibility of setting up a Boundary Commission in the backdrop of the demand raised by the NSCN (IM) to integrate all Naga-inhabited areas, the state government has stated that it is not aware of any such Commission being set up. In a statement, the government said that it is also not agreeable to setting up of any such Commission and asserted that the news report was without basis.
COMMITTEE FOR NAGA PEACE RALLY - CALL FOR SOLIDARITY
Dear Friends,
The desire for Justice and peace has driven Nagas to explore creative ways of intervention and participation in the ever important Indo-Naga Peace Process. From the very beginning the negotiation for Justice and Peace has been supported and actively encouraged by all Naga peoples and have been truly democratic in nature. Several times the Nagas have sought the attention of the Indian Civil Societies for peoples-to-peoples dialogues on the long drawn political problem. The Nagas have sought the wisdom and understanding of the Neighboring communities in the quest for Justice and Peace. Yes, the Nagas have gone ahead with vigor and zeal to seek Justice and Peace right from the very beginning.
In continuation of this effort, and as our fate and future remains the primary focus of all of us, we reaffirm our faith in the need to privilege Justice and negotiate for a lasting Peace. Yes indeed, we want Peace! We realize also that we have to work hard to impress upon the world our desire for Justice and Peace. Yes, we ask again, who wants to live under the shadow of uncertainties. The Nagas have long since decided to determine the future of the Nagas by themselves and no force on earth can coerce us against it. We want a future of Peace and we want to hold that future in our hands. This is the opportunity and the challenge we have in our hands as young Nagas. This is our contribution towards the cause for Justice and Peace. Let not this opportunity go to waste.
As all sorts of problems and hiccups are created for us by external forces, some unwarranted, all of them unjust, we want to pledge our confidence once again in the Almighty God and march forward for Peace to our land and our people.
Come join all the Nagas in this march for Peace! Let us rally ourselves for the cause of Justice and lasting Peace. The aforementioned committee was initiated by the Naga Students Union Delhi and supported by various other organizations like the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, the Naga Students’ Federation, et al., to organize the Nagas for a Peace Rally on the 17th of June 2005, at Delhi from Mandi House to Parliament Street. It will culminate in submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India and spread the message of our desire for Justice and Peace to India and the world.
Kuknalim!
Mmhonlümo Kikon Convenor, Committee for Naga Peace Rally
#For further information kindly contact the following Phone Numbers: 9868740539/
9810479458/9899296531/9811715784/9818182311/9818925494/9899248067/
Bangladeshi infiltration - hot pre-election plank in Assam By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, June 14 (IANS) The controversial issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh has for long haunted Assam, and the subject is picking up steam once again with assembly polls due early next year. Since the past month, the state has been witnessing a campaign to oust Bangladeshi migrant workers with an unidentified group distributing leaflets asking them to leave or else face action. The group has also stuffed leaflets through letterboxes and sent messages on mobile phones telling people not to employ "illegal foreigners". Many of these Bengali workers were engaged in brick kilns and pedal rickshaws in Assam, besides doing menial jobs.
Joining the bandwagon of protests against illegal aliens is the influential All Assam Students' Union (AASU), besides political parties of all hues, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "The presence of illegal Bangladeshis is a threat to India's national security and could also overwhelm the indigenous population in Assam and other parts if not checked," senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan warned in a recent meeting of party workers in Assam. The BJP even accuses the ruling Congress government in Assam of encouraging Bangladeshi migrants for vote bank politics. For the AASU, the issue dates back to the early 1980s when Assam was in the grip of a massive anti-foreigner uprising that later saw some of its leaders forming the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a regional political party that rode to power in 1985 on the anti-Bangladeshi plank. But once in politics, the AGP could do very little to solve the problem, with nearly 80 percent of the 272-km long border that Assam shares with Bangladesh remaining unfenced. "The AGP was in power in Assam and its ally, the BJP, was at the centre. If the AGP and the BJP were so concerned about Bangladeshi infiltration why did they not fence the border during their rule?" asks Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. "At least we are sincere in our effort. We are expediting the process of fencing the border to check any infiltration."
Analysts say the Bangladeshi immigration issue invariably gathers momentum ahead of polls in Assam - an emotive issue that political parties try to cash in on. "Why do the BJP and other parties try to whip up this issue only when elections are around the corner?" asks Hafiz Rashid Choudhury, leader of the United Minorities Front (UMF), a political party in Assam. "Does infiltration take place only when elections are due in Assam?"
However, the AGP is maintaining a moderate stand this time in what is seen as an attempt to woo voters of the Muslim minority in Assam who account for about 30 percent of the state's 26 million people. "Indigenous people should not be harassed in the name of evicting foreigners," said a senior AGP leader. Muslim voters are a decisive factor in at least 40 of the 126 assembly seats. "The Congress party is silent on the foreigners issue as it depends on Bangladeshi voters whose names are enrolled in the electoral rolls," another BJP leader said. The infiltration issue will further gain ground, but once the polls are over the controversy may as usual die down.
BSF not to share ULFA info with Bangla Assam tribune
SHILLONG, June 13 – BSF today ruled out providing additional information to Bangladesh on business enterprises run in that country by ULFA or bank accounts operated by the banned outfit, as sought by Dhaka. “We had checked and cross-checked the information on ULFA running seven hotels and operating three bank accounts in Bangladesh before releasing it,” Inspector General of BSF’s Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland (AMMN) Frontier, SC Srivastava, told PTI here.
“It is for Bangladesh police to find out." Srivastava said adding that he could not go to Bangladesh to supply more evidence. “Why should they (Bangladesh police) accept it? BSF had earlier given Bangladesh a list of 197 militants camps existing on its soil. It is also well-known they (the authorities) are managing those camps," he said.
However, a senior Bangladesh police officer termed the BSF claim as propaganda against his country.
Additional Inspector General Anwarul Iqbal yesterday said the information was 'baseless and imaginary' and asked BSF to submit evidence to support its ‘allegations' directly or through the Interpol. Srivastava had said the ULFA cadres are running seven hotels - three hotels in capital Dhaka, two in Sylhet and two in Chittagong. The three bank accounts held by the militants were traced at the Arab Bangladesh Bank's Farm Gate branch in Dhaka, Zinda Bazar branch at Sylhet and Al-barakah Bank's Pahartali branch in Chittagong, he said. – PTI
Nagaland flowers to spread fragrance worldwide NET News Network
Kohima, June 13: Under the initiative of Department of Horticulture, Nagaland, a one day workshop cum-interactive session for persons keen on export of dry flowers, foliage & Potpourri was held today at Kohima. Addressing the participants, Secretary Horticulture, L.H. Thangi Mannen said that the Government has taken the initiative of organising the workshop as floriculture is going to be one of the most focused horticultural activities in the state. Lauding the Nagas for their artistic and skilful hands and their creativity in the area of dry flowers, the Secretary encouraged the participants to take maximum advantage and to showcase to the world by exploring the wealth of dry flowers and foliages which Nagaland is endowed with. She lamented on the lack of market due to which our talents are exploited. Nevertheless, she was optimistic as “Fauna International” one of the largest exporters of dry flowers from India is interested in opening avenues for marketing of dry flowers and foliages from Nagaland. She asked the participants to learn real business by being committed and dedicated. “When we talk of real business we should be get the volume and be consistent”, she maintained. She called upon the participants to explore more in order to get the indigenously available materials, so that they may be able to sell their products. President of Fauna International Limited, M.R. Singhvi who conducted the technical session on the scopes, techniques and potentials of dry flower exports, said that dry flowers has big potentialities in the international market. Stating that India constitutes only 1per cent of dry flowers in the international market he said that it is a very poor show when compared to our rich forest area. Countries like China, Brazil etc are tough competitors to India in this area he said. In addition to the price factor, bleaching, colouring and dyeing are the important factors in dry flowers. Singhvi also highlighted on “Potpourri” which is on high demand in the market. It is used as table decoration and is made by mixing tiny flowers (basically the leftovers) and adding fragrance. It gives beauty as well as fragrance he said. Singhvi asked the dry flower lovers to catch the market with one’s own initiative and hard work. Menukul Kin, Lucy Kin, Niathu Gardens and many more displayed varieties of dry flower and foliages at Hotel Japfu. It may be mentioned that the best five displayed arrangements, will be selected for display at the International Flower show to be held at Bangalore from July 1 to 3 next, which will be sponsored by the state Horticultural Department. Around 70 persons attended the workshop.
Karbi Hills reiterates demand for separation NET News Network
Guwahati, June 13: Reiterating its demand for separation of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills Districts from Assam the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and N.C. Hills Autonomous Council has jointly submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patel recently. Addressing a press conference here today KAAC Executive member Sung Ronghung said that the memorandum has been formulated demanding settlement of the political problem of the hills and to the immediate creation of autonomous state as provided under Article 244A of the Constitution of India. “The two hill districts although are deprived of economic facilities, the problem is not merely economic but political and hence it needs a political solution”, Ronghung said alleging that the government of Assam has not meet its promises made during the division of Meghalaya from Assam. He also alleged that the Assam government leaders and the leaders of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee misled the leaders of the two Hills Districts into believing that Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills would be given the same powers and functions that would be given to autonomous state of Meghalaya, if they remain in Assam but all were not met. He said that although the process of creation of separate state for Karbi Anglong and N.C Hills got some momentum during the regime of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, nothing significant happened afterwards. Another Executive member of KAAC Mangal Singh Ingti while speaking on the occasion said that the implementation of the Assam Official Language Act, 1960 has created hardships for the Karbi people, as the they have no working knowledge of Assamese. “The hill people having no working knowledge of Assamese are deprived of getting jobs in Assam”, he said adding that this has frustrated the educated youths of the hills to take up arms for separation from Assam. He further stated that although a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 1995 in Delhi, but the MoU is not workable now, as the State Government did not co-operate for full implementation of the same. “Besides Assam government has failed to provide sufficient funds for construction of road communication”, he further alleged.
KA move Centre for Statehood By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, June13: A 50-member joint delegation of the Autonomous Councils of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills has moved the Centre demanding immediate implementation of the special provision of Article 244 A, for granting the status of autonomous State to the hill districts. The delegation, led by Hills Area Development and PWD (Hills) Minister Gobinda Chandra Langthasa, submitted a memorandum in this regard to Shivraj Patil, Union Home Minister, at New Delhi today. The joint delegation, which already met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other Central leaders like Union Minister Santosh Mohan Deb and Digvijay Singh, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight with the demand. This was stated by Sum Ronghang, Executive Member in charge of Education as well as the spokesperson of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, while talking with the press here today. The people of the two hill districts are not demanding to disintegrate Assam but they want a separate administrative unit by keeping the territorial integrity of the State intact, Ronghang clarified. He expressed hope that granting of the autonomous State status will solve the insurgency problem of the two hill districts, as the ‘prolonged neglect in all respects’ have forced the young generation to take up arms and move for separation from Assam. "The problems of the two hill districts are not only economic development but political," he said.
A recent notification made by the State Government for reorganization of PWD divisions and subdivisions, including the two hill districts ‘without the knowledge and consultation of the PWD (Hills) Minister Langthasa and autonomous councils authorities’ has created sharp reaction among the people of the two hill districts, he said. A memorandum expressing strong objection against the government action has already been placed to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi last month, added Ronghang.
‘ULFA running a parallel government in State’ Arms power a vital force in Assam politics: Sinha From our Reporter
TINSUKIA, June 13: In a startling development, veteran politician and the former Assam Chief Minister Sarat Chandra Sinha has alleged that the State Government doesn't want the ULFA problem to be solved and vehemently criticized the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government saying that it would become incapacitated in the absence of the ULFA. Addressing media persons here yesterday during his visit to Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts, the senior NCP leader further alleged that the banned ULFA is running a parallel government in Assam. Terming the role of illegal arms during elections to be the vital force in the modern day politics, especially in Assam, Sinha further said that the party which is the strongest in terms of arms power has every possibility of winning election. "Be it the ULFA or the SULFA, arms power is an essential part of Assam politics today," Sinha added. On the sovereignty demand of the ULFA, Sinha wondered how can the public representatives discuss the sovereignty issue having taken oath to protect the sovereign character of the country. However, he expressed optimism that the insurgency problem of the State can be solved through a meaningful dialogue. Urging the people to raise their voices against corruption, Sinha also severely criticized the State Government for mushrooming corruption in every aspect of the State machinery



News: Main Page
News: Archives
Nagalim: Home

Powered By Greymatter